Hotspex Hires John McGarr to Lead New Chicago Office

Canada-headquartered employee-owned research firm Hotspex Group has appointed John McGarr as Managing Director for Chicago, where it will begin operating from early 2020.

From its existing offices in Toronto, New York, London, and Tel Aviv, Hotspex works with advertisers in more than 33 countries to drive brand growth by accelerating the speed to market of new ideas. The firm's proprietary human motivation measurement platform helps brands trigger consistent emotions, personality associations, sensory cues, and rational benefits across all touch points along the shopper journey.

In his new role, McGarr will oversee the new office, from which Hotspex will focus on serving global brand owners seeking science-based drivers of brand growth. McGarr began his MR career as an Analyst with Nielsen, before working client-side at Kraft General Foods, Canadian Home Products, Pillsbury Canada, The Mark Anthony Group, and AG Professional Hair Care. More recently, he was a Strategist at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group-owned In-Sync, and he co-founded brand strategy consultancy Fresh Squeezed Ideas, which integrated behavioural science, cultural anthropology and market research techniques.

Commenting on the news, founder and CEO Shane Skillen said: 'When I first entered the insights business, John's then current and my future client at Kraft Foods, suggested I model my career after his. I tried dearly for over a decade. Not sure I have or could ever reach his level of panache and expertise however now that we work so closely together I am thrilled at the impact he will have on me, on our amazing team and on our amazing clients. John is like my brother from another mother.'

Web site: www.hotspex.com .